Ellie and all . . .

I will vie for the largest population of squirrels with anyone on
Tweeters!! I have counted from 9-12 eastern grey squirrels at one time, a
healthy little population of Douglas squirrels, and flying squirrels. Yes,
I make runs to Costco for big bags of peanuts. I like to feed my Steller's
jays and crows - the squirrels are a by-product of this peanut-feeding.

To answer your questions: I put a lot of cracked corn on the ground and the
squirrels will politely sit and eat that. Then, when the mallards arrive,
there is no corn . . . sigh . . . but I am dutiful in my bird-feeding
duties. To keep the squirrels out of my feeders, I have squirrel guards on
each and every pole: four at $16.95 plus tax (the ones that work
best)!! The rest of the feeders hang, and the ones susceptible to
squirrels have baffles above them. Several are from the eaves and are for
small birds. One of my eave feeders is a favorite feeder for the flying
squirrels. I put peanuts around the edge every night and can often come in
and watch them. And I watch them in the dark, through the window (the
feeder is about six inches from the window). A well-meaning friend sent me
a flashlight with a red bulb or cover and said to use that and they
wouldn't even notice. No way. My one use of the red flashlight sent the
squirrel flying out of the feeder so fast I could hardly see him.

Anyway, didn't mean to be so wordy, but you have to decide whether
squirrels are worth the bother. My biggest gripe is that they are in my
plants - the worst offenders being the "cute" little Douglas squirrels that
bury the peanuts in my potted plants on the deck. But . . . they are
natives, so get away with it. The greys get the squirt gun (AR-15 size) in
the summer! No, it doesn't deter them much.

Good luck with your feeders . . . just protect them and you can enjoy both
squirrels and birds.

Cheers, Diann
Bothell
tvulture at vei.net